I’m excited to be back in Mersin, Turkey playing for Mersin Buyuksehir Belediye Sport Club for another season. Last year, although we fell short of our ultimate dream of winning the Turkish Championship, the organization, city, fans, and the team were overjoyed that we came so close by taking 2nd place. Yes we were pleased with making history for the team, but we definitely weren’t satisfied. At least I wasn’t satisfied. That’s a big reason I’m back. To finish what was started last year, a journey to win it all!

So far, I’ve been here 2 weeks, enough time to get settled-in and to play 4 preseason games. Our team won the Botas Cup in Adana, Turkey, even though we clearly looked like a new team. The Americans on our team are: Barbara Turner, Erlana Larkins, Ivory Latta, Cori Enghusen and myself. Barbara, Cori and I were able to practice together for a week before the Botas tourney, while Erlana only had 1 practice, Ivory, 0. Needless to say, the chemistry wasn’t quite there yet, but the potential has me bubbling over. I know our coach and organization created this team with one thing in mind, winning the Turkish Championship, and I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Personally, I played OK. I was glad that each game was a progression from the last. The first game I had 6 points and 9 rebounds. The 4th and final game I had 19 points and 14 rebounds. The good thing about our team, similar to last year, is that each game, there will be different people leading the charge. This will make us a tough match for many teams.

We’ll host a Mersin tournament on Oct. 12th-16th. Another opportunity to flex our skills against different opponents. I’m looking forward to it, just like I look forward to practice everyday (except the 12 minute warm-up run LOL), because it’s another opportunity for us to grow into the team we are here to become.